The storms of life!!

I was  talking on the phone the other day with a dear friend, when they made such a profound statement; they said "when we are in a storm,  God will either calm  the storm, or He will calm us in the storm."


I  really pondered this and I thought,"Oh! how true", as I began to look back over some of  the trials I have gone through in my life.


Most recently of this illness, God didn't calm the storm, but He has calmed me through this storm...... Oh! I would love to put on my halo and tell you that I automatically went in this sanctimonious mode, of accepting what was happening to me.  No I was kicking and fighting, but just like Paul, I asked, and the Lord, let me know through His word."His grace was sufficient."


I went to "The Word"  and found an example of being calm in the storm of life... the Apostle Paul. Do you remember the Thorn in the flesh that Paul had. I read in  II Corinthians 12:7-10....... how Paul had asked the Lord that this thorn be removed three times, The Lord didn't remove it,but He told Paul"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." If you read on , you will read of a most powerful testimony of being calm in the storms of life........
 Paul remained calm in all of the storms of his life, think of how much time he spent in prison and yet wrote so much of the New Testament.

In Matthew 8:23-27~
I read of the disciples in a boat with Jesus, when a big storm came, and the disciples began to fret and panic, they went to Jesus who was sleeping(calm in the storm) and woke Him, asking  Him to save them less they perish.


Then Jesus, who was in the same storm as they were, asked them why were they fearful? Jesus was calm in the storm,knowing that His heavenly Father would take care of them.


On the other hand the disciples were  fearful and afraid, like I am so many times. Our Lord stands up and He speaks to the storm, and it becomes calm once again.


Dear ones I don't know what kind of storm you may be in, it might be sickness,death, financial difficulties, hurt, rejection, depression, or just plain discouragement. This list could go on and on.
But I do know one thing none of us are alone, God will either calm this storm or He will Calm us in this storm , if we will allow Him.
I have learned that no matter who we are, what our status is in life, that life brings storms, and none of us can avoid them. The voice of experience speaking here. I  leave today with  a scripture that I have clung to through so many times. It lets me know that I always have Hope. 
John 16:33~" These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have Peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."


The sun will come up and it will shine even brighter than ever. I believe that when we weather these storms, that our faith grows  more deeply so that God will be glorified!


Much love,
Sue

Wow! Two post in Two days!

When I woke up Saturday morning, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day.I took my camera (my camera stays close to me at all times, I never go anywhere on the farm with out it.)and this is the first picture of the day I took.

As you know I have been somewhat under the weather, fact is..  I have been a lot under weather, just having to be mostly on bed rest, Thank you for all of your prayers).

As the day went on, and I saw that we had so much sunshine, I just could not stay inside. So I decided to go outside and Sit on the steps. I thought "if I could only soak up some sunshine, I know I will feel better. As I was sitting there, I lifted my face up to the sun (it felt so wonderful on my face) with my eyes closed I began to thank the Son for how he warms my heart!!!

It was so quiet and peaceful, all of a sudden I heard this little sound that only a female turkey can make. It is not loud just soft and sweet. I opened my eyes and there was Penny, she had come to visit me.

She  even brought some friends, Fred, Ethel, and Lucy,( I know you are thinking, ("how silly I am") Animals bring so much joy and pleasure to our lives, why not name them? And anyone knows you can't have a Fred without an Ethel, and you most certainly can't have an Ethel without a Lucy.... Makes sense to me.

After checking on me, they went back to doing what they do best, and that is to scratch and look for bugs. My dh says they are mess makers. He doesn't like them in and around the house because they make a mess of his straw. lol. Me, I tell him that they are my helpers! LOL

We have had so much rain lately, and they ended up over at one of the puddles . I like for the chickens to run free,.... hey you are talking to a farm girl here.

After they left I really listened for other beautiful music, I heard in the distant one of the donkeys braying, a sheep bleating, a cow mooing,(all in unison) and in the trees was a flock of black birds just yacking away. It was all beautiful music to my ears. Needless to  say it was also some of the best medicine I could have gotten. 

God is God!! He is ever present in our lives, and he sends us exactly what we need exactly at the right time. And for that I am truly thankful.Just as I was rushing to the "sun" to be   warmed, I want to run more often to the "SON"  to feel His warmth!!!
Lamentations 3:22-23~Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions  fail not ~They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.
"Personal note"..... The last six months have been very trying months as far as my health, I haven't spoken to much about all of my health issues for several reasons. One being, that I find so many people here in blogland that are in dire need and compared to them my problems are so insignificant. 


I also am trying to keep things on a lighter note, and to try and find humor in my situation, believe you me since being on some loopy medicine, I have done some loopy things this past week.and we all know what Pain meds. do for you. 
And now a Big thank you to everyone who is  praying for me.
Hugs, 
Sue
Now on to visit you all today.

What is it about Sunday?

What is it about Sunday that always brings me such Peace?
 As I watched my dh leave for church today, I was pondering over how much peace I was feeling. Even though I was not able to go with him because of illness, but yet there is such  a peace about this day.....
Is it because it is a day, I usually get to go to a place( a building if you will) to worship my heavenly Father,have true fellowship with other believers?
Is it because it is a day that I usually rest from my  labors of the past week? 
Is it because it is a day that I look back over the past week's accomplishments and yes, failures,and begin to plan and look forward to what this next week will bring forth.


It is like I breath a "sigh" of relief, that maybe just maybe if I might have blown it this past week, that I get another week  to do it right. 
Or is it a day that because of all of the above that I am most thankful.


Yes!! it is all of the above and many many more reasons.!!!


So dear ones enjoy this most peaceful of days!


"Father for today I am truly thankful, and accept all of your peace for this glorious day that you have given me."
Sue
Matthew 11:28~ Come to me all you who labor and are weary laden, and I will give you rest.